1-5-10 water news

EPA decisions could have impact on TVA	<<>
Monday, January 04, 2010
CHATTANOOGA — The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two decisions that will have a major impact on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and its water utilities, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported. The EPA ruled that the electric power industry could face financial assurance requirements to help fund cleanups through the Superfund program, according to the article. The EPA also began work to establish standards or even ban four types of chemicals used in industrial applications, the story reported. Among the proposed banned chemicals is perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, a chemical used in carpet making which has been found in the Conasauga River. Other chemicals of concern include phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorinated chemicals, the article reported. According to the EPA announcement, the agency is “beginning a process that may lead to regulations requiring significant risk reduction measures to protect human health and the environment.” To read the entire article, click here. For related information, click here.